9 Questions For...Brendan Quigley

"9 Questions For…" is an interview series in which we ask soloists, founders and leaders working in the Shopify, ecommerce, and related industries to share their experiences of doing "their thing, their way". The questions might be the same but the insights certainly aren't! If you fit the bill and would like to share your learnings please get in touch.

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In this edition of 9 Questions For…, we hear from Brendan Quigley of Three Acres.

Q: Are you a founder, co-founder, solo entrepreneur, consultant or something else?

I'm the owner and solopreneur at Three Acres.

Q: What type of business do you run?

Three Acres is a Shopify agency focused on building and supporting merchants' businesses on the Shopify platform. I offer two main services: a membership and custom Shopify theme builds.

The membership provides ongoing support for a flat fee monthly, ensuring merchants have continuous access to assistance and solutions tailored to their needs.

My ideal clients are online store owners and founders who value direct collaboration and personalized service to help their businesses thrive.

Q: Why did you start your business?

I graduated from university with a degree in Geography, specializing in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), where I basically built maps. Initially, I secured contracts in my field, but the work was tedious, and the contracts were short-term. After my last contract, I ventured into freelancing.

Over the years, I discovered a passion for working with merchants and recognized Shopify as an incredible platform to build on. This led me to found Three Acres, where I now focus my efforts on helping merchants succeed.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge you are facing in your business?

While I face all the same challenges that other solopreneurs face, I uniquely enjoy a number of backend tasks like budgeting and invoicing that others sometimes dislike.

I would say my main challenge is managing the workload and the sales process. As the sole person responsible for every aspect of my business, it can be difficult to allocate enough time for each merchant while also focusing on business development and personal growth.

Q: What’s going well in your business?

Since I handle all the work myself without outsourcing, I work directly with the owners and founders of online stores. This builds real trust, ensuring they have someone reliable to turn to if things break or they need something else. As a result, merchants often return for more work, even years after the initial project.

The flexibility of my membership model, which allows clients to pause or cancel at any time, has also led to high client satisfaction and loyalty. I feel truly honoured when a merchant trusts me with their business, as I understand how important my own is to me.

Q: What skill do you excel at, and which one do you want to get better at?

I'm very good at solving problems without forcing the same solution on every merchant. There's a tendency to get really good at one thing and then use it like a hammer for all problems. While that can work, it often leaves some merchants with extra they don't need, or it forces them to deal with a shortfall. I take pride in tailoring solutions to fit the unique needs of each client.

A skill I want to get better at is marketing. While I excel at the technical and problem-solving aspects of my work, I recognize that improving my marketing skills could help me reach more potential clients and grow my business further.

Q: What will be different about your business this time next year?

By this time next year, I expect several key changes in my business. I plan to take on fewer projects, allowing me to be more selective with the projects I choose and provide even better results.

I aim to have more merchants utilizing my membership model, as I have found it to be highly beneficial for them. Additionally, I plan to increase collaborations with other agencies, leveraging the flexibility of being a one-man agency to gain valuable experience and expand my network.

Lastly, my marketing and sales processes will be better defined, enabling me to reach more potential clients and streamline my business operations.

Q: What’s the one thing you wish you’d known before starting your entrepreneurial adventure?

It's hard to pin down a single thing, as I've learned a lot over the years from mentors, other entrepreneurs, books, and experience. I've always maintained a positive mindset and enjoy the process of learning just as much as the doing.

However, one key insight I wish I had known earlier is the importance of focusing on a specific niche. Once I started concentrating on ecommerce and Shopify, my business began to grow. It became easier to understand what merchants needed and serve them directly, leading to more effective and tailored solutions.

Q: Where do you live, and what do you love about your city?

I live near Peterborough, Ontario, in the countryside. Our home is surrounded by nature, providing a peaceful environment.

We have a garden where we grow our own vegetables, a few chickens that provide fresh eggs, and we use Starlink for our internet connection. This rural setting offers plenty of space for the kids to roam and explore.

There's very little to dislike here, as it provides a quick and refreshing escape from work whenever needed, making it an ideal place for both family life and personal well-being.

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